IT Specialist (API & AI Developer, 0097759T)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

About The Position

The IT Specialist (API & AI Developer) designs, develops, implements, and supports technology solutions for the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges (UHCC), combining artificial intelligence, data analytics, web and mobile application development, and institutional data systems. The role develops applications and tools using machine learning, generative AI, large language models, AI agents, APIs, and other emerging technologies, including AI-enabled applications, intelligent data layers, dashboards, and student and career pathway tools. The position builds interfaces that let users interact with university data and derive insights, and contributes to career pathway and student success applications connecting high school pathways, postsecondary education, credentials, skills, careers, and workforce opportunities. Work includes querying, analyzing, transforming, and integrating data; building application back ends, APIs, services, integrations, and responsive web interfaces; and developing or contributing to mobile applications. The specialist troubleshoots, optimizes, documents, and maintains applications, and integrates third-party APIs, AI services, data services, and external systems. The position ensures websites and content comply with University of Hawaiʻi web standards, ADA requirements, and mobile compatibility. It follows and implements University of Hawaiʻi System Information Technology Services directives and best-practice recommendations, stays current with evolving AI development practices and tools, and assists with technical requests and reports as needed. Other duties may be assigned. This is a full-time, 11-month temporary position funded by special funds, not to exceed June 30, 2027. Extension is possible, subject to position clearance and availability of funds.

Requirements

Pertinent baccalaureate degree in Information & Computer Sciences, Software Engineering, Data Science, or a related field, plus three years of progressively responsible professional IT experience in application development, including demonstrated experience building web APIs and implementing AI or machine learning features; two years of that experience must be comparable in scope and complexity to the next lower pay band in the University of Hawaiʻi broadband system; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
Considerable working knowledge of API and AI application development and pertinent information technology concepts, principles, and methodologies.
Considerable working knowledge of technology, systems, hardware, and software associated with API and AI application development.
Ability to identify intricate problems, determine causes through reasoning and logic, and develop and implement practical, thorough solutions effectively and promptly.
Ability to interpret and implement administrative directives and guidance so IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing and verbally, including through reports and other materials.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders, team members, and individuals.
If applicable to supervisory work, ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Strong understanding of IT service management, cybersecurity principles, risk management, and compliance requirements.
Experience implementing and maintaining IT best practices, standards, and governance.
Programming experience developing secure web applications using HTML, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, and modern web development technologies.
Experience with responsive web design, accessibility standards, CSS frameworks, and modern user interface technologies.
Ability to learn, evaluate, and apply emerging AI technologies, including generative AI, large language models, and AI-assisted application development.
Experience developing, testing, evaluating, and improving AI prompts and workflows, including evaluating AI-generated results for accuracy, bias, privacy, reliability, responsible use, and limitations.
Experience working with APIs, web services, and data integrations.
Functional knowledge of UI/UX design, user-centered design, usability, and accessible web application development.
Experience with relational databases, including MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server; writing SQL queries, designing data structures, and integrating application data.
Ability to develop clean, structured, secure code and conduct thorough testing, including secure coding practices, version control, testing methodologies, and code documentation.
Ability to learn software programs and applications, troubleshoot, and provide technical support.
Ability to develop creative solutions using emerging technologies.
Ability to install, manage, and update a local development environment and synchronize development, test, and production environments.
Ability to work independently, troubleshoot complex technical problems, and take projects from concept through development and implementation.
Ability to understand oral and written instructions and documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in varied situations.
Functional knowledge of ADA accessibility compliance, web privacy, copyright requirements, cybersecurity practices, and responsible use of emerging technologies.
Ability to exercise sound judgment with confidential information and institutional data, including compliance with FERPA and university, state, and federal governance policies and responsible AI practices.
Ability to work outside normally scheduled hours, including day, night, weekend, and/or holiday hours, and attend in-person meetings as directed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with higher education, student information systems, career pathways, or institutional research data.
Knowledge of workforce data and labor market information resources such as ONET, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Education Statistics, or Lightcast.
Knowledge of API development tools such as Insomnia or Postman and Swagger/OpenAPI.
Knowledge of API authentication methods, including OAuth 2.0, API keys, JWT, tokens, and secure credential management.
Experience developing applications using generative AI, large language models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), AI agents, or natural-language interfaces.
Experience working with AI APIs and platforms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, or comparable providers.
Experience integrating, transforming, and validating data from institutional, government, or enterprise systems using APIs, databases, JSON, XML, CSV, or similar formats.
Proficiency in one or more server-side programming languages such as PHP, Python, JavaScript/Node.js, Java, or C#.
Experience implementing secure AI solutions, including data privacy controls, sensitive-information protection, prompt security, access controls, and secure handling of institutional data.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, implement, and support technology solutions using AI, data analytics, web and mobile application development, and institutional data systems for UHCC.
Develop applications incorporating machine learning, generative AI, large language models, AI agents, APIs, and emerging technologies.
Develop AI-enabled applications, intelligent data layers, dynamic dashboards, student and career pathway tools, and other solutions.
Build interfaces on existing institutional data that allow users to interact with university information and derive insights.
Design and develop dynamic dashboards and data-driven applications incorporating AI-generated insights, natural-language interaction, and visualization.
Contribute to AI-enabled career pathway and student success applications connecting education, credentials, skills, careers, and workforce opportunities.
Query, analyze, transform, and integrate data from institutional databases and other sources.
Write SQL queries and develop data-access solutions using relational databases such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server.
Develop application back ends, APIs, services, and integrations.
Develop responsive web interfaces using JavaScript, HTML, PHP, CSS, Bootstrap, and related technologies.
Develop or contribute to applications for mobile devices and mobile-responsive environments.
Integrate third-party APIs, AI services, data services, and external systems into university applications.
Troubleshoot, optimize, document, and maintain applications and integrations.
Ensure websites and content comply with UH web standards, ADA requirements, and mobile compatibility.
Implement and follow directives, guidance, and best-practice recommendations from University of Hawaiʻi System Information Technology Services.
Stay current with evolving AI development practices, frameworks, models, APIs, and tools.
Assist with ad-hoc technical requests and reports as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.